Diagnostic accuracy of frozen section in various thyroid disorders as compared with paraffin section from the same cases

This is a retrospective study using the data from the Anatomic Pathology Sub Unit of the Central Surgery Instalation of the Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, from Januari 1990 to December 1991. During a two-year, period there were 207 cases of thyroid frozen sectiotts. A number of 185 cases have been reviewed, 157 (84.9%) were benign and 28 (15.1%) were malignant. In parafin sections 158 cases (85.4%) were benign and 27 cases (14.6%) were malignant. There were 3 false positive and 2 false negative cases. The sensitivity was 92.6%, specificity 98.1% and the accuracy 97.3%. The positive predictive value was 89.3% and the negative predictive value 98.7%. From the analysis we conclude that there is high accuracy in frozen section diagnosis of the thyroid nodules. This method is still necessary to decide rapidly any thyroid malignancy.